Key Features: Heritage 76

The Sky-Watcher Heritage-76 has been specially designed to celebrate the International Year of Astronomy (IYA) and the 400th Anniversary of Galileo’s first telescope. This is not only a highly functional precision optical instrument but also a beautiful collector’s piece, desk or shelf ornament, and ideal gift.

The beautiful, luxurious tube graphics depict a richly historical theme. The images have been specially designed to symbolise Galileo and his conflict with the Catholic church. Galileo Galilei’s public championing of Copernicus’ theory of heliocentrism, which was contrary to the geocentric beliefs at the time, eventually led to him being denounced to the Roman Inquisition. He was subsequently tried, suspected of heresy, forced to recant, and spent the rest of his life under house arrest. Of course Galileo, “The father of modern science” and “The father of modern observational astronomy” was proved right in the end.

The telescope tube is also adorned with the words “Galileo 400” and “International Year of Astronomy” as well as key dates in the lifetime of Galileo.